Range Report: My Two New Makarovs

[gulogulo1970]

I bought two "new" Bulgarian Makarovs for about $150ea. delivered. I shot them both yesterday. I've heard what people here said about them, and rolled the dice, they were right.

I have to say I'm impressed. They are nice looking guns (look brand new), except for the grips, kinda cheap. They are quite accurate llittle guns. Shot 100 rounds through each gun. Not one problem. Both guns at 10 yards shot into a group the size of a baseball. That's pretty good for me, I was firing fairly fast. I've never fired a blowback operated gun before. Recoil was quite mild, follow-up shots were quick. Trigger was pretty good.

I like them. I've never bought any surplus guns before. Always been a new gun snob. I may change my tune. I'd post pictures but I don't know how to. No loss, seen one picture of a Makarov seen 'em all. These guns aren't cheap, but they are a bargain.

Are there any other surplus guns as good or better than the Makarov? I would love to be able to find some more jewels in the rough for cheap. And since I'm newly married, any new guns better be a bargain to keep them under the "radar".

 

[PCRCCW]

You have to buy plastic guns to avoid RADAR...........or was that Metal Detectors?

Well...you did good. The Maks are great little guns. The gun snobs/elitists are gonna laugh at you very badly until you out shoot them with that little Commie Gun.........

Enjoy it and keep up the 9x18 habit.............its a good one.

Shoot well.

 

[12 Volt Man]

They are nice looking guns (look brand new), except for the grips, kinda cheap. They are quite accurate llittle guns.

Get the Pearce grips for your Maks they look nice and make all the difference in the word when you shoot a lot of rounds. Here is a pic of one of mine with them installed one without.

 

[BamBam-31]

My buddy just bought one of the Bulgarians. Unissued. Blueing was about as perfect as can be. Very nice.

We shot it this weekend. Boy, was that sucker accurate. He did buy the Pearce grips, but they were really mushy in my hand. They need some kind of hard plastic insert, like Hogue grips. I think I'd go plastic or wood stocks, if it were mine.

I actually liked the small sights. Felt easier to shoot accurately.

 

[CZSteve]

Hello Gulo,

Are there any other surplus guns as good or better than the Makarov? I would love to be able to find some more jewels in the rough for cheap. And since I'm newly married, any new guns better be a bargain to keep them under the "radar".

I like to pride myself on frugality whenever possible now.

Check out the CZ52 for another great surplus bargain. I picked an original grey in great condition from Cheaper Than Dirt in Ft. Worth awhile back for $109.00.
Pretty much a hand cannon chambered in 7.62 x 25. Not very practical for defensive purposes; but a lot of fun.
Big BOOM, Big FLASH.

 

[steelhead]

I second the Pearce grips as well as the CZ52. I also have a Sistema Colt .45 and a Manhurin PP and would highly recommend both as well as a TT33. Here are a couple of my East Germans.

And a CZ52.

TT33

 

[NoScreenName]

What kind of OD finish is on the frame of that first EG?

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I would love to be able to find some more jewels in the rough for cheap.

The Arcus 94 has a pretty good following too. Or for the classic look, the FN Argentine Hi-Power for a bit more. The Star pistols seem to be okay. Walther P.38 pistols are still floating around. I was surprised by how much really is out there once you look!

 

[gulogulo1970]

Thanks, for the replies. That one with the OD frame and matte slide looks sharp, did it come like that?

What is them chambering of the TT33? The Walther P.38 does look like a good buy. CZ 52's do look like fun, very strange looking gun though.

 

[steelhead]

I sent the Mak down to Mac's and had him do the Tuff Gun process. He does a great job and turn around is usually 2 weeks. Here is his link:www.shootiniron.com

I had him do OD green on the frame, barrel, hammer and decocker to contrast with the black slide. He has also done a CZ52 for me and a Kel-Tec P32. Other mods to the Mak are the Pearce grips, commander hammer and the Simson-Suhl upgrade which allows you to rack the slide with the safety on. Head over to http://makarov.com for all the parts and mods you could want. They also have a lot of information and parts for the CZ52 as well.

The TT33 fires the 7.62 TOK the same as the CZ52. However it will not handle the hot subgun ammo which the CZ52 is reported to be able to do. I shoot most surplus and S&B through the TT and the CZ without any problems.

 

[steelhead]

Here are some pics of the CZ after it got back from MAC's. Also a pic of a surplus 1917 Nagant.